Page 12 of Lowering His Guard

My stomach curls. I don’t want her watching anyone but me. I want her eyes on me. I want her to be impressed by me. Not by a goofball and his sidekick.

I shake my head and force those thoughts away. I refuse to allow a pint-sized surfer to get my stomach all twisted up.

May shrugs. “I'm not sure. Maybe they forgot how to walk.”

Tanner immediately jumps to his feet. “I can walk.” He waggles his eyebrows. “Want me to show you how?”

He needs to keep away from May. He’s bad news waiting to happen. And he’s already chasing one woman on the island. How many women does he need?

I growl and get to my feet. I advance toward Tanner.

“Help!” Tanner shouts as he hides behind Corbin. “Mr. Grumpy is attacking me.”

Corbin shoves him. “Leave me out of this.”

“All right, my future surfing champions!” May claps her hands to get her students’ attention. “Let’s leave the boys to their games and return our surfboards.”

She marches toward the surfing shed and the kids hurry after her. Not one of them lingers. She’s obviously established her authority, and they trust her. She’s a good teacher. I’m glad Jace has her.

“Brock’s smitten,” Tanner sings.

I launch myself at him but Corbin steps in my way. “Not worth it.”

“Really? It’s not worth it? You can’t tell me you don’t want to break his nose just a little bit.”

Corbin studies me for a moment before shuffling out of the way. “Go ahead. But stick to his nose. Don’t forget your strength and break his jaw.”

“My jaw?” Tanner squeals before running into the water. “Come get me, big man!”

Nolan blows a whistle.

“Who gave him a whistle?” Gage mutters.

“Now that Tanner’s cooled off – literally – and Brock’s distraction is gone, let’s get back to our workout.”

My distraction? I’m not distracted. I’m concentrating on… I realize I’m scanning the beach for a glimpse of May. Shit. I am distracted.

I can’t be distracted. Not this year. It’s my last year to play on the Seals. The year we’re going to go all the way to the Super Bowl.

The last thing I need is a woman distracting me. I know better. Women are not to be trusted. Even a pint-sized surfer whose smile lights up her whole face.

Chapter 5

Progression – moving on to bigger waves once you've convinced your instructor you're unlikely to die.

May

I lie back in the savasana pose and let the ocean do all the talking. A gull cries overhead. Waves lap against the shore. The breeze tickles my face.

Perfect.

I inhale one final deep breath, roll onto my side, and climb to my feet. I press my palms together in front of my heart.

“Thanks for another beautiful day,” I murmur to the ocean. I roll up my yoga mat and head toward the shed.

It’s time to start another day. And my day is starting with a group of kids. One of whom has a dad who’s grumpier than my dad has ever been on his worst day. And yet my stomach tingles with excitement.

Maybe I have a fetish for grumpy men. Or maybe I’m eager to learn whether this grumpy man has a soft core beneath his gruff exterior. Brock melts for his son, but does he melt for anyone else?